§ Mr. GogginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to extend joint working between Government agencies and local authorities. [38478]
§ Ms Harman[holding answer 27 April 1998]: We want to develop a Social Security system that promotes the wider aims of welfare reform: work for those who can; security for those who cannot. We are engaged on a range of initiatives to fulfil these aims and Local Authorities have an important role to play in this process. In particular:
pilot schemes to test the best ways of getting Income Support to those pensioners who are currently entitled but do not claim their entitlement, using the records we hold on the Department's systems like the Retirement Pension computer and Local Authority systems for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.the delivery of the Government's National Childcare Strategy. We are about to consult widely about our plans for a National Childcare Strategy and the proposals will set out in detail the important role envisaged for Local Authorities.working in partnership with the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate to actively promote good practice throughout the Social Security system; helping them improve their effectiveness and efficiency, while, at the same time, rooting out fraud.100Wdeveloping new ways of working to improve service delivery to clients, and to reduce duplication of effort and unnecessary administration—an Active Modern Service which helps people into work by cutting across boundaries between Agencies and Departments, between the public and voluntary sectors, and between central and local government.helping young people, lone parents, the long-term unemployed, and people with a disability or long-term illness through the New Deal—rebuilding welfare around the work ethic.